Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla in a file photo released on July 1, 2026. (Courtesy: Office of the Ombudsman)
The Office of the Ombudsman issued a warning to government workers against the use of gasoline allocated for government vehicles for private vehicles.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla cited a recent case involving a former provincial board member of Bohol who was perpetually disqualified from holding public office and dismissed from service for reportedly using fuel allocated for a government vehicle to be dispensed instead into private motor vehicles.
The case cited by the Ombudsman was that of then Bohol Second District Provincial Board Member Vierna Mae Boniel-Maglasang, who was ordered dismissed from service by the agency for two counts of Serious Dishonesty.
Boniel-Maglasang was also penalized with all the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility and was barred from taking civil service examinations. Additionally, her retirement benefits were also ordered forfeited by the Ombudsman.
The decision stemmed from a complaint filed by Bohol Third District Board Member Dionisio Joseph Balite, which alleged that Boniel-Maglasang, in 2024, used a total of 100 liters of gasoline allocated for a government vehicle for private vehicles.
The 13-page decision stated that Boniel-Maglasang’s act of charging fuel expenses for a vehicle not covered by the authorized government fuel allocation system “clearly demonstrates intent to circumvent established accounting and auditing rules which shows an intent to commit material gain, graft and corruption.”
The decision likewise stated that a public officer is expected to exhibit the highest degree of honesty and accountability, and lack of integrity warrants administrative sanction.
“Acts like this destroy the image of government,” said Remulla. “Such acts—including siphoning gasoline, loading it into non-government vehicles, and falsifying receipts—will not be tolerated by the agency,” he added.
The Ombudsman warned that government officials found guilty of similar acts will face the harshest penalty under the law.